Episode 14

When Rufus gradationally opened his eyes, he tasted the channeling energy girding him. Upon turning his eyes, he was met with a scene of maximum chaos.

Rufus scanned his surroundings and noticed Leanor lying on the ground, with two boys hovering over her. Also, two other boys were restraining Raina and Alice.

In response to this distressing sight, Rufus blatted, "Let them go!"

His words were incontinently followed by the emergence of tree roots from the ground, strongly knocking down the four boys and causing them to hit the ground with a thud.

Leanor let out a shriek of relief upon witnessing Rufus eventually awakening. She instantly rose from the ground, brushing off her skirt before bursting into horselaugh.

Alice and Raina, too, breathed a sigh of relief. However, the boys struggled to regain their footing, their anger faces evident displeasure.

"If you don't leave, I shall not show any mercy any of you," Rufus said with utmost seriousness.

The boys observed the menacing sight of the tree roots continuing to sow from the ground, breeding a sense of fear within them.

Their faces turned from frown to deep fear, and one of them glared at Rufus, uttering a threat," You may have been lucky today, but your luck will not hold next time."

Casting a regard at Rufus and also at Leanor, the boys fleetly departed, cursing loudly as they went.

Rufus also turned his attention to Leanor.

"Thank you for your help," he said.

"I did not contribute anything helpful.." Leanor replied, masking her embarrassment with a smile.

She progressed to introduce Alice, pointing towards her.

" This is my roommate. You may remember her from our time in middle school, right?"

Alice stretched out her hand for Rufus with a warm smile."

"Hi!"

Nodding, Rufus shook her hand, snappily releasing his grip.

Leanor also signaled towards Raina and introduced her as well.

" This is Raina, another friend from middle school."

Raina extended her hand in a friendly manner.

" Pleasure to meet you!"

Rufus nodded again, shaking her hand politely.

" Umm... why did those boys targeted you?"

Leanor changed the subject.

" Don't fret, I'm able of handling myself. I'm not as vulnerable as you," Rufus responded casually.

Upon hearing this, Leanor's frustration boiled over as she uttered.

" Get lost, Rufus Carter!"

She fleetly snared, pick up her bag and stormed off, egging Raina and Alice to follow suit, casting disdainful ganders at Rufus.

Rufus stood there, wanting to say something, but remained silent. The sky grew darker, motioning the impending evening.

As Leanor marched forward, her outrage fueled her pace. She could not watch less if others despised her, but Rufus?

" Damn it!" she murmured through gripped teeth, venting her wrathfulness by remonstrating the lawn in front of her.

Raina approached Leanor, about to say something, when Alice hushed them.

" Did you hear you hear that?"

Alice asked.

Leanor and Raina composed themselves, and held their breaths.

The surroundings suddenly grew eerily quiet.

The chittering of catcalls, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the sound of steps filled the air.

The steps were rapid-fire, as if someone was running, and there were numerous of them.

" Rae." Alice's voice quivered slightly upon hearing the approaching steps.

Raina remained silent, her expression grave.

Suddenly, the sound of branches being tromped echoed hard, growing louder by the alternate.

It was apparent that someone was sprinting towards them. Before the person indeed reached them, they heard his critical cry. " Run!"

Leanor eventually caught sight of Rufus running towards them, his voice filled with anxiety." Everyone, run!"

" Wild werewolves," Raina blatted as she noticed the grotesque brutes with canine heads, large claws, and fur- covered mortal bodies running behind Rufus.

Without hesitation, Raina pulled Alice and Leanor, prompting them to run desperately.

" Everyone, quickly tap into your channeling power if you can, or differently we'll be overhauled soon," someone shouted.

Almost immediately, lightning bolts, moving stones, and arrows were unleashed towards the wild werewolves.

The action seemed to further outrage the wild werewolves as they let out furious howls.

Before they could continue running, the ground suddenly slipt into two, causing them to fall into the depths below.

" Rufus." Leanor blatted, her voice echoing through the air, before succumbing to the same fate and joining the others.